JETwit needs your help identifying any earthquake/tsunami/nuclear disaster relief projects or efforts that have been started, organized, managed or otherwise undertaken by JETs or JET alumni.
What else is missing from this list?
View Japan Relief Efforts in a larger map
View Japan Relief Efforts in a larger map
The ones we’re aware of to date (8/12/11) are:
1. Smile Kids Japan (founded by Mike Maher-King (Fukui-ken, 2006-11) collaborating with Tokyo-based NPO Living Dreams to form the Smiles & Dreams Tohoku Kids’ Project (among other efforts).
2. The Fruitree Project, started by Paul Yoo (Akita-ken), which has now evolved into Volunteer AKITA and has led to the Big CLEAN which has already brought volunteers to help cleaning efforts in Kessenuma.
3. I’ve heard that Fukushima JETs have been organizing efforts to clean up the beaches, but I don’t have any details. Can anyone provide more info?
4. Hearts For Haragama (http://hearts4haragama.wordpress.com). Billy McMichael (CIR Fukushima) is one of the 7 founders of project aimed at raising funds for the Haragama Youchien kindergarten in Soma, Fukushima. (Thanks to former JETAA DC President Michelle Spezzacatena for passing this on.)
5. “Kat Geeraert, an ALT in Soma (Fukushima), is doing an amazing job with her foundation “Friends of Soma.” http://www.somafriends.com/ (Thanks to Catherine Lefrancois (JHS ALT in Fukushima-ken, Fukushima-shi) for passing this on.)
6. AJET is playing a significant role in facilitating and coordinating volunteer efforts for current JETs and has also been collaborating with other good organizations/efforts such as Peace Boat, Foreign Buyers Club and 5toSurvive. (Thanks to Cailin Arena (Osaka) for passing this on.)
7. “Save Miyagi was founded by Canon Purdy (Miyagi-ken, 2008-10) to help out students in Minamisanriku. Canon is currently back in Japan, working with officials to see where the money will be used.” (Thanks to Jen Wang (Miyagi-ken) for passing on the info.)
8. Hotdogs and Hugs is an aid organization formed by Saga-ken JETs. Among other things, they organized a volunteer group that traveled all the way from Saga (western Kyushu) up to Tohoku, collecting donations and fundraising along the way. (Thanks to Ling Tran (Saga-ken, Yoshinogari-shi, 2009-11) for passing on the info.)
9. Osaka AJET: “We have done extensive food drives and collections through our schools we work in, those goods, money, supplies have then been coordinated with Kozmoz International (A small not-for profit in Kyoto) and we have taken the needed items to Tohoku ourselves. We will be doing another drive across Osaka, hopefully in dozens of schools where JETs are placed from the start of this second term.” (Thanks to Matthew Cook, who serves as both AJET Chair and is a member of Osaka AJET, for sharing this info.)
10. The MUD Project: It turns out that Colin Renie (CIR Yamagata-ken, 2007-10) has been running a volunteer project that has enabled many JETs to volunteer in Tohoku with particular emphasis on Minamisanriku as well as other areas of Miyagi and Iwate. Lots of good info, photos and updates on the project’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mudproject
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What else is missing from this list?
Please post to the comments section or e-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com with more info.
Yoroshiku!
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This editorial in support of the JET Programme by Hitoshi Tanaka appeared originally in Japanese in The Mainichi Daily News. Thanks to Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), for sharing the article. And special thanks to Laura Kamutaka (CIR Miyagi-ken, Shiogama-shi, 2005-07) for translating it into English.
Don’t Cut Funding of Grassroots Exchange: Earthquake reveals and affirms overseas bond
http://www.jri.co.jp/MediaLibrary/file/report/tanaka/pdf/5570.pdf
Tanaka Hitoshi, Chairman, Institute for International Strategy, Japan Research Institute
The Tohoku earthquake swallowed many lives and left many missing. The unimaginable hardship of the disaster victims weighs heavily on our hearts, and many of us have a strong desire to help with this tragic situation. People who want to take action beyond making a charitable donation. People who want to work together with the disaster victims in any capacity, no matter how small the achievement. Some of those around me set up a nonprofit called Hope for Tomorrow to assist high school students affected by the earthquake, of which I’ve become a representative.
”Hope for Tomorrow” is designed to not only assist the students advancement but to help develop their language skills as well. There’s a reason for this. One of the tsunami victims was Taylor Anderson, an Assistant Language Teacher in Ishinomaki City of Miyagi Prefecture who taught English at both elementary and junior high schools. After the earthquake, the 24-year-old Virginia, US native worked to ensure her students’ safety and, in doing so, lost her life. In honor of her memory, Anderson’s parents have been collecting US donations with the intention of sending them to Japan to help restore school in Ishinomaki.
Anderson was in Japan through the JET Program, a Japanese government program that invites international youth to help Japanese students with foreign language instruction. After 24 years of existence, the program currently boasts over 4,000 participants from 36 countries, with over half coming from the United States. Most participants stay in Japan from two to three years, teach elementary to high school-level Japanese students, and maintain a strong bond with Japan even after returning to their home countries.
Ten years ago when I served as the Consulate General in San Francisco, I spoke with both JET participants who were about to leave for Japan and those that had recently returned. I remember those that returned all spoke passionately of their experiences and had great affection for Japan.
Even the JET participants’ response to the earthquake is remarkable. The JET Alumni Association has chapters across the country working to fundraise for relief efforts. There are those such as Stuart Harris, a JET participant in Iwate prefecture in 1989 who assembled a team of doctors right after the earthquake to provide relief to Japan. JET participants currently in Japan have also collected donations and vigorously volunteered to the relief effort.
Of course, it isn’t only the JET participants that have shown compassion towards Japan. A friend of mine who married an American found a network of people on Facebook, leading them to New York’s Union Square to collect donations less than a week after the earthquake. Passersby would donate cash and in no time more than $10,000 had been raised. We need to protect these precious bonds that transcend national lines.
Unfortunately, this kind of grassroots exchange has been decreasing each year. The number of JET participants has gone from 6,000 participants 10 years ago to 4,000. The Democratic Party of Japan has included the JET program in its budget cuts. From a financial standpoint alone, it seems counterintuitive to shrink a program that yields such positive results.
It is easy to see the Japan-US ties mainly through the relationship between the two governments. But that’s not true. Grassroots exchange is what sustains the important bond between the two countries and is something we must never forget.
Volunteer translators needed for JET alumni Japan disaster relief project
Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, Return on JET-vestment, Translating/Interpreting, Volunteer 
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We may need a team of professional-level translators to help with an upcoming JET alumni project related to disaster relief efforts in Japan. Timing would likely be late September and October.
If interested, please e-mail Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit.com with “Translator” in the subject heading. No commitment necessary right now.
Reminder: You can also click here to join the JET Alumni Translators & Interpreters LinkedIn group.
Background:
Apologies for lack of detail at this point as the project idea is still in the process of being thought through by a couple JET alumni well-placed to set this up.
But the idea, generally speaking, relates to the fact that Japan’s non-profit/civil society sector and culture tends to be less established compared to that of the U.S. In the wake of the Tohoku earthquake/tsunami, many new Japanese organizations have formed and many existing small ones have taken on new roles and responsibilities.
One area they apparently tend to lack is familiarity with grant seeking and applying for grants. There are a number of U.S. foundations and other organizations that have been raising money but have struggled in trying to figure out how to get it to the organizations that could really use it. Part of the obstacle appears to be the grant making process. Grant making organizations tend to need to track and account for how money is doled out and used. And the application and reporting process are key.
Translation of many of these documents into English would of course be a key step for helping U.S. organizations in their efforts to communication with Japanese grant seekers. And this is of course a potentially significant way for the JET alumni community to continue to serve as a bridge to Japan.
Please contact Steven at jetwit [at] jetwit.com if potentially interested in helping.
Yoroshiku!
JET alumni to revisit Tohoku to help boost tourism
Earthquake Tsunami, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Volunteer Comments Off on JET alumni to revisit Tohoku to help boost tourism
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Via Mainichi Daily News:
http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110729p2g00m0dm010000c.html
JET alumni to revisit Tohoku to help boost tourism
(photo caption: Greg Lekich and other volunteers are pictured in Tagajo, Miyagi Prefecture, on April 20. (Photo courtesy of Greg.))
TOKYO (Kyodo) — About 20 former English teachers and international relations coordinators at local government offices will revisit places in northeastern Japan, where they used to work, on a Japanese government program aimed at boosting tourism affected by the March 11 quake and tsunami, Japanese officials said Thursday.
As the first batch of the program participants, 14 alumni of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program from Australia, Britain, Canada and the United States will make a weeklong visit to places of their former assignments in Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures from Monday, they said.
The participants are required to write about their experiences and impressions of the current situation in the Tohoku region in their contributions to the media, including social networking sites Facebook and Twitter, the officials said.
The program will last for two months and the Japanese government is shouldering travel expenses for the JET alumni.
(Mainichi Japan) July 29, 2011
Video: Panel discussion with JET alums Anthony Bianchi, Laurel Lukaszewski and Jim Gannon
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Thanks to JET alum and Inuyama City Council Member Anthony Bianchi (Aichi-ken, Inuyama-shi, 1988-89) for sharing the video below (in four parts) taken by his son Matthew of a panel discussion from the JETAA USA National Conference held in Washington, D.C. July 14-17.
The panel featured Bianchi along with fellow JET alums Laurel Lukaszewski (Kagoshima-ken, 1990-92) (sculptor artist and former Executive Director of the Japan-America Society of Washington, D.C. as well as former President of Pacific Northwest JETAA) and Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), and was moderated by JETwit publisher Steven Horowitz (Aichi-ken, Kariya-shi, 1992-94).
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
JET alum Congressional candidate to assume post at Mansfield Foundation previously held by JET alum
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The below announcement was recently sent out by JET alum David Boling, former U.S. Attorney who ran for Congress in Arkansas in the Democratic primary in the last election. David will be the new Deputy Executive Director of the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation which, among other things, manages the Mike Mansfield Fellowship Program, a Congressionally established professional exchange for mid-level federal government employees.
Notably, the position was previously held for 16 years by JET alum Paige Cottingham-Streater who recently was appointed Executive Director of the Japan-US Friendship Commission, a federal agency that provides grants for research, training and exchange with Japan. Paige, who was one of the founders of the JET Alumni Association in 1989, also recently spoke at the JETAA USA National Conference in Washington, D.C. on a panel moderated by former Monbusho English Fellow (i.e., pre-JET) Michael Green who previously served as special assistant to the president for national security affairs and senior director for Asian affairs at the National Security Council (NSC) from January 2004 to December 2005.
Here’s the announcement:
Dear Friends
First, I want to tell you how much I appreciate your support for my race for Congress in 2010. Your friendship and trust is something I treasure. I truly love Arkansas and want to do all that I can to serve the great people of Arkansas.
As you know I have been considering another run for U.S. Congress in 2012. It would have been a difficult race, but I believe that I could have won. I believe that the Second District is winnable for the Democratic Party in 2012. Another opportunity, however, has been offered to me that I feel is right for me and my family at this time.
Today I am excited to tell you that I have accepted a position with the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Foundation as Deputy Executive Director. The Foundation, based in Washington DC, is a nonprofit organization that promotes understanding and cooperation among the nations and peoples of Asia and the U.S. One of my responsibilities will be to oversee the Mansfield Fellows. You may remember that I was a Mansfield Fellow earlier in my career.
During my campaign for Congress at one of the candidate debates I was asked to name my political hero. I responded that two people are my political heroes: Vic Snyder and Mike Mansfield. Everyone knew Vic Snyder. Fewer knew Mike Mansfield.
Mike Mansfield was a miner from Montana who after serving in World War II finished high school and then college. With the support of his wonderful wife,
Maureen, he went on to serve in the U.S. Congress and U.S. Senate. He was the Senate Majority Leader from 1961-1977 and was U.S. Ambassador to Japan for both Presidents Carter and Reagan. He died in 2001 at the age of 98.I had the good fortune to work for Vic Snyder for nearly three years and now I am delighted to have the chance to work for the foundation that honors Maureen and Mike Mansfield’s legacy.
My family and I are embarking on a new adventure in our lives. We promise to stay in touch and we ask that you do the same.
Thank you again for everything.
All the best,
David
Japan Times: JETs fresh from the U.S. eager to help nation recover from March 11
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Via the Japan Times:
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
JETs fresh from the U.S. eager to help nation recover from March 11
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/nn20110727a5.html#.Ti8SL3nLQFg.twitter
By TAKAHIRO FUKADA
Staff writer
Young Americans who will teach English at schools here on an international exchange and teaching program said Tuesday they want to help Japan recover from the March catastrophe.
According to the U.S. Embassy and an organizer of the Japan Exchange and Teaching Program, around 700 are coming from the U.S. this summer. About 400 of them arrived Sunday.
In total, some 1,600 JETs from 27 nations will come to Japan this summer.
Many of the young Americans attended an orientation session held by the U.S. Embassy at a Tokyo hotel Tuesday evening.
Asked whether she was afraid of any natural calamity and the nuclear disaster, Anni Pullagura, 23, from Georgia said “no, not at all.”
“This is the best time to show that Americans support the Japanese people,” she said after attending the session.
Meghan Koester, 23, from the state of Washington, also said she isn’t scared.
“I’m very excited to help Japan recover from this,” she said. “The world recognizes Japan’s efforts for recovery and we really support it. We want to help.”
During the orientation, U.S. Ambassador John Roos welcomed and thanked the new teachers for coming to Japan and representing their home country “at really, a very incredible, important time.”
He stressed the importance of enhancing grassroots relations between the two nations.
“Each of you going out in all of the different areas of Japan will continue to work with the Japanese as they continue to confront the aftermath of March 11,” Roos said. “So, your role is particularly important at this time.”
JET alum works with Japan-America Society of Hawaii to run camp program for Tohoku students
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Japan Society Round-up, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism Comments Off on JET alum works with Japan-America Society of Hawaii to run camp program for Tohoku students
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I recently learned that former JETAA Hawaii President Kelsey Soma Turek (Fukuoka-ken, 2005-07), who by day is an Education Program Director at the Japan-America Society of Hawaii, is involved in the implementation of a program in Hawaii aimed at helping out students from Tohoku. In Kelsey’s words:
“The Rainbow for Japan Kids project is aimed at providing positive educational and cultural experiences for children in Iwate, Miyagi, and Fukushima prefectures who have experienced some sort of trauma/devastation/loss from the Great East Earthquake in March. The organization at which I work (Japan-America Society of Hawaii) is responsible for planning this project, working with supporters in Japan and Hawaii.
As Educational Program Director, I am personally in charge of arranging many of the activities (team development courses at Kualoa Ranch, Camp Erdman on Oahu’s North Shore, Kilauea Military Camp on the Big Island of Hawaii) for the 20 middle school students during their 10-day stay beginning tomorrow.
Generous donations make this project possible. We hope to do this quarterly over the next year. More info can be found at http://jashawaii.org/jpnaid3.asp.”
Do you know of a JET alum working for the benefit of the Tohoku region through the organization where they work? E-mail jetwit [at] jetwit.com to share their story for posting on JETwit.
Volunteering in Tohoku – message from a JET alum
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This helpful info was recently posted to the Nagasaki JET yahoogroup by a JET alum for the benefit of current JETs, though it contains a great deal of potentially helpful info and perspective for the JET alum community as well. Have a comment or perspective on volunteering in Tohoku to share? Post to the comments section:
Hi. My name is Andrew Morris and I was an ALT in Sonogi, Nagasaki prefecture from 07-09. After that I moved up to Kyoto for two years and then I just moved back to the U.S..
However, the reason for this email is that just before I made the fabled journey “home” this month, I was able to free up enough time in my schedule to allow myself to take two separate volunteer trips up to the Ishinomaki City area in Miyagi Prefecture, which was amongst the hardest hit areas by the tsunami/quake in March. The part where I did most of my work was on the Oshika Peninsula, which was actually the very area that was featured in the great short movie (http://vimeo. com/24037794) made by Mark Flanigan another former JET.
My experiences up there were both just as I thought and completely different. I shoveled an insane amount of mud, I hauled debris of all varieties for days, I crawled through mounds of fly infested ropes trying to salvage buoys, and I sang drunken karaoke with the local fisherman when it was all done. It was an experience I will carry with me forever and in that short time I met some of the most amazing people I ever have and made connections that will last a lifetime. I can assure you that my experience was not unique.
The reason I have for wanting to tell you about my experiences, though, is that I want to encourage each and every one of you to seriously consider going up there to try to do the same. As I’m sure you’re well aware, summer vacation is nearly here, and you may still be considering how to spend yours. I know sitting in the office figuring out new and interesting ways to stay busy sounds like fun now but… Who knows, if you’re industrious enough, you may even be able to put together a project out of taking a trip up there help out and convince your school you should be able to do it without taking nenkyu. Worth a shot at least right? Even if you have to take vacation, it would be much more meaningful in a lifelong sense then lounging on a beach somewhere (though no offense if you’ve already got your tickets to do that). Trust me, if you do it your stature in the shokuinshitsu will increase 100 fold.
To see pictures from my trip please visit – anmorris.photoblog.com
Further to my encouragement, I’d like to offer some information about going up there and hopefully dispel a few myths that I myself was quite worried about before heading up there.
- Transportation myth – It’s hard to get there. Reality = It’s not. I mean, it’s far but trains and buses to Sendai are in full working order. In fact I found it quite cheap. Turns out there’s a ¥6,000 night bus from Kyoto to Sendai. Or if you have access to a car you could even make it into an epic road trip. It would also definitely benefit you to have personal transport while up there, although not essential. From Sendai City there’s a ¥800 highway bus (bus stop 33) that takes you directly to Senshu University, which is the volunteer basecamp for Ishinomaki. Downtown Sendai itself barely looks like it even suffered any damage really.
- Lack of volunteer groups myth – It’s not easy to join a volunteer group. Reality = Depends on the group. Some of the bigger groups like peace boat, while great, require volunteers to attend an orientation in Tokyo before going which can be a huge hassle if you’re not from there. However, there are a bunch of other smaller groups doing great work in the area that need all the help they can get. Contact Robert Mangold and he can put you in touch with a bunch (idrojapan [at] gmail. com)
- Food myth – It’s hard to get so you have to bring it all up with you. Reality = It’s not hard at all to get it and the people there have more than they need. In fact volunteers are fed off of left over food from the shelters, and sometimes there is even more than they can eat. Plus there are supermarkets and convenience stores open in the town you can use. Even down on the peninsula the konbini‘s are starting to open up. Water is pretty much the same issue, and drinks of all varieties are now readily available, which is going to be especially important in the coming summer months.
- Work myth – It’s all really hard manual labor. Reality = That is available in spades, but so are any number of other jobs. Some people help cook food for the shelters. People go and spend time with the kids or do performances at the shelters. Some people give massages or acupuncture to people who suffer from physical issues or stress (obviously licensing or some professional experience is highly valued in such a case). Some people work cleaning photos found in the rubble for display so that the owners might find them again. If you have any sort of applicable skill or an idea for a project that might be useful in this sort of situation I’m sure they’d love to hear about it. Heck, you could probably just go and offer free “English Conversation” and they’d love it!
- Gear myth – You have to go out and buy tons of gear before you go like boots, a helmet, gloves, masks, etc. which can cost a lot of ¥¥¥. Reality = Unless you sign up with a volunteer group that requires you to have these things, or unless you go up with a whole herd of volunteers then it’s probably not necessary. The group I volunteered with had plenty of that equipment for me and all the other volunteers. Especially if you aren’t going to be doing the nitty gritty work, you won’t need any of that type of equipment. However, one thing I would suggest bringing if you do plan to do debris cleanup is steel insoles for boots. There’re lots of nails and other sharp things all around as you can imagine so they can really save you a very painful experience. Also, if you have “outsized” feet or hands, etc. it may be good to bring your own gear.
- Sadness myth – The overwhelming sadness of the situation will leave you depressed. Reality = Well, obviously this is entirely an individual issue, and everyone reacts differently to these situations. However I will just say that although the destruction you encounter there is just entirely unbelievable, and the people you meet there have often been through absolutely devastating experiences, in general, I found both the locals and the volunteers to be in incredibly high spirits. The positive energy they displayed in taking on this massive project of putting their lives and communities in order was nothing short of inspirational. I dare say that a good portion of the time I was having… fun (see drunken karaoke above).
Some words of caution:
-All that said, it is a difficult, trying experience and should not be undertaken on a whim.
-As was pointed out in a previous email from CLAIR, it is extremely important to think about “Volunteering Responsibility.” It is not a vacation, and you should do your very best to make sure that you do not need to be taken care of.
-Some of the jobs are quite dangerous (although every precaution is taken) and you should consider which role you can play safely.
Some words of advice:
-Speaking Japanese is not entirely essential, but it is extremely beneficial. This goes in the “making sure you’re not a burden” section. Try to go up there with someone who can communicate well so you can receive instructions and know what’s going on if possible.
-As you’re well aware it’s going to be bloody hot. They told me it’s cooler along the coast than many places thanks to the cool breeze, but still, it’s Japan in July/August… Be prepared. That means lots of fluids, and buckets of sunscreen.
Feel free to contact me with any questions too (anmorris [at] gmail. com). Good luck with whatever you do and enjoy your remaining time in that wonderful wonderful country!
Ganbaro Nippon!
JET alum with key role in post-Katrina response meets with JET alum working on Japan earthquake disaster response
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I learned from Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), that in the course of his recent work with JCIE/USA to help coordinate U.S. efforts to support Japan with disaster relief, Jim had the opportunity to set up a meeting in New York for Japanese representatives from key volunteer organizations with someone who played a key role in the post-Hurricane Katrina response. And it turned out that person happens to be a JET alum as well– Shawn Escoffery (Tochigi-ken, 1998-99). Sean currently serves as the Director of the Strong Local Economies Program for the Surdna Foundation.
JETAA Northern California helps community group with fundraising efforts
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, Fundraising, JETAA Chapters, JETs in the News, Return on JET-vestment, Volunteer Comments Off on JETAA Northern California helps community group with fundraising efforts
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Thanks to Mike Shu, JETAA USA Country Representative and JETAA Northern California member, for forwarding this great article from the Nichi Bei online magazine titled “Helping Northern Japan Recover: A community effort raises $3.5 million for disaster-hit areas” about the Japan Cultural and Community Center of Northern California (JCCNC) and its fund raising efforts which have generated $3.5 million for disaster relief in Japan.
It’s worth noting that JETAA Northern California members were involved with the JCCNC’s fund-raising efforts as volunteers and that a JET alum is actually on their fund staff. Additionally, the article includes quotes from a JET–Miyagi CIR Takeno (Chiyo) Suzuki.
Here’s the link to the article: http://www.nichibei.org/2011/07/helping-northern-japan-recover-a-community-effort-raises-3-5-million-for-disaster-hit-regions/
Tampa Natsumatsuri a success thank to JETAA Florida’s Tampa subchapter
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Via the JETAA Tampa (aka Tampa Kumi) email list:
“We made it through another year of Tampa Natsumatsuri. We had over 300 people attend. It was the biggest event we’ve done yet. A huge thank you to everyone who participated. You truly make this event happen. Also thanks to everyone who came out to enjoy the event. And lastly, the biggest thanks to the coordination committee who helped me tremendously this year! It would not have been possible to do an event this big alone. And these people gave significant portions of their time and personal resources to coordinate everything that went on.”
Tampa JET alumni are also known for their Tampa Tsudoi, a monthly “nihongo-dake” gathering at a Panera where JET alums and other Japanese-speaking members of the community (both American and Japanese) gather for Japanese practice and friendship.
Challenges facing the US-Japan Earthquake Relief Response
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I had the privilege yesterday of being invited by Jim Gannon (Ehime-ken, 1992-94), Executive Director of the Japan Center for International Exchange (JCIE/USA), to attend a unique information and idea exchange titled “Funding Meeting: US-Japan Cooperation on Supporting the Japan Disaster Response.”
The gathering, organized by JCIE/USA and the Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership (New York), was held in a meeting room at the Institute of International Education in Midtown Manhattan, consisted of representatives from about 40 to 50 organizations involved in raising funds to support relief efforts for Japan.
It began with presentations from key representatives from Japanese civil society–Yoshifumi Tajiri of the Japan NPO Center and Japan Civil Network for Disaster Relief in East Japan (JCN), Yoichiro Abe of the Central Community Chest of Japan (CCCJ) and the Joint Committee for Coordinating and Supporting Voluntary Disaster Relief Activities, Tae Namba of the Association of Medical Doctors of Asia (AMDA) and Tomoko Wakabayashi of the Association for Corporate Support of the Arts (Japan).
Two discussion panels followed. The first was titled “Challenges and Concerns of US Funders and Partners.” Moderated by Jim Gannon, it included presentations by Irene Hirano, President of the US-Japan Council, Betty Borden, Director of Policy Projects for Japan Society (NY), Scott Sugiura of Give2Asia and Mari Kuraishi of GlobalGiving Foundation. The second panel was titled “Strengthening US-Japan Collaboration for Recovery” and was moderated by Japan Society of Boston President Peter Grilli with presentations by Noboru Hayase of Osaka Volunteer Action Center and Jim Gannon of JCIE/USA. Many others participated in the subsequent discussions and exchange of information and ideas.
Key Takeaways:
A couple key takeaways from a JET Alumni perspective were:
1. Figuring out effective ways to support the relief efforts in Japan is tricky stuff. It’s not a straightforward task to simply provide grants and financial support. Among other reasons, Japan apparently does not have as strong or established of a “civil society” as we’re used to having in the U.S. i.e., There is not a large non-profit sector. And there is not as much organizational experience seeking and applying for and reporting on grants and donations. To paraphrase one attendee, no one was knocking on their door seeking grants in the way people did following disasters in Haiti and elsewhere.
Language and cultural barriers were also cited. As was the fact that for many small NPOs and other organizations that have stepped in to do good work, they don’t have the bandwidth to focus on grant seeking and reporting requirements. Or if they do, it comes at the detriment of doing the work that needs to be done.
The other major challenge cited was the expansive geographic scale of the disaster.
Additionally, several attendees commented that one of the areas where significant assistance is needed (among many needs) is mental health. Depression and suicide rates are high in the affected region, particularly among working age males trying to support their families in a dire employment environment. (Read this letter from Japan Society of Boston President Peter Grilli, who recently traveled to Japan, for additional information and perspective.)
2. Progress is being made. For all the challenges, it sounds like organizations were figuring things out and gaining experience as they moved forward, and there was a lot of discussion about information sharing and providing additional forms of support in ways that would aide the process.
3. JET Alumni are involved in a variety of ways. There were five other JET alumni in attendance, including Jim Gannon, Paige Cottingham-Streater (Japan-US Friendship Commission), Renay Loper (Japan Foundation Center for Global Partnership), Bhaird Campbell (Japan Society of Boston), Jonathan Schwab (Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry of New York) and Jennifer Quiambao (Asian Cultural Council). Additionally, a several other attendees said that they had JET alumni working in their offices when I mentioned my connection with the JET Alumni Association.
Thanks again to Jim for giving me, and in essence the JET Alumni Association in the U.S., a seat at this very significant table. And a reminder that the relief and rebuilding effort continues and that, as with our JET experience, patience and persistence yields great growth over time.
JET Memorial Invitation Program for High School Students ready to head to Japan
Cultural Outreach, Earthquake Tsunami, JETs in the News, Return on JET-vestment, Travel/Tourism, Video Comments Off on JET Memorial Invitation Program for High School Students ready to head to Japan
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Thanks to Andy Anderson, father of Taylor Anderson, for sharing information and the video link below. FYI, JETAA USA had the honor of Mr. Anderson attending the National Conference this past weekend in Washington, D.C. and speaking to the conference attendees (2 representatives from each JETAA chapter in the U.S.)
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced an exchange program on June 24, 2011 (press release here) to send 32 American students to Japan as a way of commemorating the work of Taylor Anderson and Monty Dickson. Those students, who come from all over the U.S., have been selected and are now in San Francisco getting ready to depart for Japan.
The majority of the 10 day program takes place in Japan and includes a pre-departure orientation and a wrap-up meeting and farewell dinner in San Francisco. During their stay in Japan, the participants will have an option of participating in a day trip to visit the Tohoku area.
KTVU (San Francisco) did a story on the student group as they gathered in San Francisco for a pre-departure orientation before heading to Japan. Here’s the link to the video: http://www.ktvu.com/video/28580191/index.html
Minasan ganbatte kudasai!
Note: If anyone can figure out how to get the embed code for the video, e-mail it to jetwit [at] jetwit.com so we can post it here.
Update 7/21/2011: Here’s a Japanese article about the event, forwarded by Andy Anderson:
http://sankei.jp.msn.com/world/news/110718/amr11071818190005-n1.htm
2011年07月18日
日米の懸け橋へ努力
日本研修に向け米高校生
【サンフランシスコ共同】東日本大震災で犠牲になった米国人の英語教師２人の業績をたたえ、創設された日本研修事業に参加する米国の高校生３２人の壮行会が１７日、サンフランシスコの日本総領事館で行われた。代表のトーマス・クドさんは「帰ったら、この体験と日本語を生かしたい」と話し、日米の懸け橋となるために努力することを誓った。猪俣弘司（いのまた・ひろし）総領事は、大震災で亡くなった外国青年招致事業（ＪＥＴプログラム）の英語教師テーラー・アンダーソンさんとモンゴメリー・ディクソンさんの死を悼み、「研修を成功させるかどうかは皆さん次第」と激励した。米側のデボラ・ダニエルズさんは「同じ高校生がどんな風に（大震災で）被災し、どんなことを考えて毎日暮らしているのか知りたい」と話した。一行は今月１９～２８日、大阪の地元高校生との交流や、ホームステイを体験。京都訪問のほか、希望者による岩手視察も予定されている。
JET ROI: “The JET Program’s Finest Hour”
Article/Journalism, Blogs, Earthquake Tsunami, JETs in the News, Notable JET Alums, Return on JET-vestment, Uncategorized, Volunteer Comments Off on JET ROI: “The JET Program’s Finest Hour”
David Jacobson, a former Monbusho Scholar who now works for Seattle-based Chin Music Press (founded by former Monbusho English Fellow Bruce Rutledge), has just posted a really terrific piece titled “The JET Program’s Finest Hour“ about the role of JET and JET alumni in response to the Tohoku Earthquake Disaster. David did a particularly effective job of documenting the topic and pulling information together in a way that had not been done to date. And it demonstrates a very clear “Return on JET-vestment.”
Here’s the link: http://chinmusicpress.com/blog.php?action=display&entryID=13
David comments that the JET Program’s “support this spring, in the aftermath of the devastating March 11 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami, may have marked the program’s finest hour.” And his research helps document information such as:
“Within hours after the disaster, Eric Butler, a former JET who lives in Calgary, Alberta, created a Facebook page, Foreigners from Miyagi. He intended it as a place to discuss how to help the quake victims, but within days it attracted nearly 700 users, many in Japan, and morphed into a forum for those seeking the whereabouts of JETs or others in disaster areas.”
The article also acknowledged and put JETwit’s role in perspective in the larger context:
“Editor (and JET alumnus) Steven Horowitz began a similar effort providing up-to-the minute updates on JETwit, a blog that has evolved into the de facto central information source for the JET alumni community. But he also saw his role as helping JET alums become involved in the relief effort, listing opportunities for volunteers, translators, even offering practical advice for those in Japan. And he recommended that JETs get the word out: “Make yourself available to talk to schools, churches, companies, other organizations. Engage your grad school or college alumni offices. Wear a button that says, ‘Ask Me About Japan.’”
